The invention is directed to an apparatus for evaluating aerial stereo images. The apparatus includes an analytical plotter which is supplemented with an ancillary device for photoelectrically scanning and digitalizing subregions of both stereo images. The signals of the device are computer-correlated with each other to automatically, for example, determine the coordinates of homologous points and the occurring parallaxes. A method of carrying out the invention is also disclosed.

Structural details of industrial plants are derived from stereo-pair photographs by analyzing the structure into basic 3D unit shapes. The information is stored in a data store and may be obtained by interrogation of the store, as a direct print out through a graphics display, or via an interfaced graphic display system, such as PDMS. Plant structural designs can be readily modified by altering the basic unit shapes within the data store and/or their parameters.

In an apparatus for reproducing images onto foodstuffs or the like, and the process for performing such operation, a housing includes the various electronic controls for sequencing the operations of the apparatus, a turntable for holding the especially prepared foodstuff or sheet upon which the image is to be scribed is located upon the turntable, a supporting device disposed for uniform rotation with the turntable holds the photograph or other pictorial member from which the image for reproduction is derived, the combination of light and optical members for illuminating and visually directing the reproducible image to the photosensitive means that cooperates in combination with the electronic controls for precisely manipulating an electromechanical or electronic scribing instrument for either directly or through transfer paper a reproducing of a facsimile of the pictorial image directly onto the foodstuff or the like; the foodstuff or related composition upon which the image is reproduced may comprise a fibrous material, preferably edible, and including in combination of manufacturers confections mixed with a fibrous composition, or the like, so that it can be easily manipulated and handled either manually or by machine prior to, during, and after imaging processing, and can be likewise applied, as for example, to the surface of a cake to be consumed therewith; a cassette including a combination of the specially prepared foodstuff, and the transfer paper from which one or more colors may be transferred by means of the stylus or etching device to the surface of the foodstuff has been devised to facilitate the routine usage of this imaging producing apparatus either domestically, commercially, or industrially during its intended application.

A mensuration apparatus for converting film images and paper drawings into digital photogrammetric arrays to be computer processed, displayed, mensurated and analyzed. This mensuration apparatus includes a table on which a translatable camera and a reseau assembly are mounted. The reseau assembly includes an object mounting plate for mounting an object such as a photograph, map, or the like, and a grid mark system for superimposing grid marks on the object. The translatable camera includes a solid state camera having a two-dimensional array of light sensor elements mounted over the reseau assembly in a translatable mounting apparatus. Said translation camera can be moved to any desired position over the reseau assembly, as well as toward and away from the reseau assembly, forming three coordinate systems, which are correlated together for precise mensuration of an object image digitized by the solid state camera.

A mensuration apparatus for converting film images and paper drawings into digital photogrammetric arrays to be computer processed, displayed, mensurated and analyzed. This mensuration apparatus includes a table on which a translatable camera and a reseau assembly are mounted. The reseau assembly includes an object mounting plate for mounting an object such as a photograph, map, or the like, and a grid mark system for superimposing grid marks on the object. The translatable camera includes a solid state camera having a two-dimensional array of light sensor elements mounted over the reseau assembly in a translatable mounting apparatus. Said translation camera can be moved to any desired position over the reseau assembly, as well as toward and away from the reseau assembly, forming three coordinate systems, which are correlated together for precise mensuration of an object image digitized by the solid state camera.